house republicans say there will be no deal if tax ritz go up and the obama administration says it's ready to go thelma and louise style over the cliff on january 1. if that's the case, wendell goler live at the white house with what we know is going on behind the scenes. anything happening? >> steve, the president and house speaker john boehner talked on the phone yesterday, but they agreed not to characterize their conversation. so it's unclear how much progress they made. from the outside, it does seem they've moved a bit closer with boehner now agreeing to raise tax collection from the wealthy, though not by raising tax rates. >> we've got to cut spending and i believe to put revenues on the table. the revenues we're putting on the table will come from, guess who, the rich! there are ways to limit deductions, close loopholes, and have the same people pay more of their money to the federal government without raising tax rates which we believe will harm our economy. >> the president lobbied big business leaders yesterday with an appearance at the business round table. his aides say